Orinda Boy Scout Troop 237 is proud to announce that five scouts have earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout and will be honored at a Feb. 26 Court of Honor at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church. Their Scout Master is

Eric Jorgenson.

Tanner Cullen’s Eagle project was building a cobb bench in the Garden of Learning at St. Perpetua School. This bench is more than just a place to sit; it is a memorial for the Garden of Learning caretaker’s father as well as a learning tool for the students at St. Perpetua, demonstrating how recycled materials can be useful. The bench’s rough shape was constructed out of cereal-box-sized concrete blocks retrieved from a construction site in Emeryville. The cobb material used to mold the bench’s shape was made out of local dirt and straw. The only materials necessary to be purchased new were a couple bags of concrete and some rebar for making sure the bench was strong and sturdy to sit on.

Drew Holland’s Eagle project involved working with the Urban Farmers. He identified local backyard fruit trees on which much of the fruit was going to waste, and then worked with homeowners to pick the fruit when ripe and donate it the same day to the Contra Costa Food Bank. Holland and fellow scouts and friends distributed fliers to more than 250 homes in the Lafayette/Orinda area and picked over 1,800 pounds of fruit over a three-month period. He also developed a “How We Did It” video with the Urban Farmers to allow replication of the project in other areas (available on YouTube under “Drew’s Gleaning Project”). Lastly, he created a database of homeowners and trees to be used in the future.

Tyler Kirchberg for his Eagle project built a trophy case for Orinda Intermediate School, giving back to the school he attended. The case is made out of oak and took six months with the help of 12 Scouts to complete, totaling about 123 hours of work. The school has many trophies that had no place to be displayed, and now they are proudly displayed in the trophy case in the 30s Hall.

Jason Lammert’s Eagle project benefited Orinda Community Church and Orinda TOPS Preschool. With help from many Troop 237 Scouts and adult advisers, Lammert designed and built six flower beds, ripped out dead trees/bushes, removed cement, flattened land and installed the irrigation system outside the church offices and the entrance to TOPS preschool. There are about 96 seasonal plants in the flower beds.

Charles Wiser for his Eagle project rejuvenated an overgrown sitting area at the Orinda Community Church, and designed and built a permanent bench for enjoyment of the view and garden below. Following the challenging removal of stubborn poison oak and debris, Charlie lead his Scout helpers in building a retaining wall to keep the area clear of dirt, and installed the bench, which was constructed of materials selected for durability and strength. Residents of the Senior Village, church members and others use the newly refurbished site and paths for exercise, restful conversation and social gathering.

Boy Scouts of America Troop 237, chartered by the Orinda Community Church, has been serving the Orinda community for over 58 years and has recognized 188 Eagle Scouts over its history. Each candidate must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, including 12 Eagle-required badges. They must also demonstrate leadership, outdoor skills, Scout spirit plus successfully complete a service project with a minimum of 100 volunteer hours to earn the Eagle award.

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